In a typical day’s work, railroad workers may be exposed to a number of situations and chemicals that can cause health problems.

Many times, current or former railroad workers may not connect these railroad work hazards with the development of a number of medical issues. But once they have been made aware of the potential connections, they can be on the lookout for symptoms that may indicate a more serious underlying medical problem.

Common Sources of Railroad Work Hazards

Three main sources of railroad work hazards that can contribute to ill health include chemical exposure, asbestos exposure and exposure to electromagnetic fields.

Two common chemicals that railroad workers may be exposed to are benzene and creosote. Benzene, a product of crude oil, is commonly used to make other chemicals for use in the railroad industry, including dyes, detergents, lubricants and rubber products. It is also a solvent that is used to extract or dissolve variety of substances.

Benzene has been linked with a number of cancers including blood cancers like myeloid leukemia and organ cancers such as lung cancer, colon cancer, esophageal cancer, bladder cancer, rectal cancer, stomach cancer and throat cancer.

As a derivative of heat-treated coal and sometimes plants or wood, creosote is a liquid substance that is also carcinogenic. Skin cancer, scrotal cancer and other cancers have been linked with creosote exposure.

Asbestos is a naturally-occurring substance that can cause severe medical issues for those who are exposed to its fibers. When asbestos fibers are inhaled, they can cause lung cancer or mesothelioma, a cancer of the mesothelial cells that line the lungs and abdomen.

Cancers caused by asbestos exposure often take two to five decades to develop. Because of that long latency period, many individuals may not make the causal connection between exposure and a cancer diagnosis.

For those who work in the cabs of trains, there is a large amount of exposure to electromagnetic fields. These fields are generated by electronic motors, gauges, computers, radio equipment and other technology. Exposure to electromagnetic fields has been linked to Hodgkin’s lymphoma and myeloid leukemia, both cancers of the blood.

Seeking Compensation Through a FELA Lawsuit

Individuals who have developed cancer or other serious medical conditions as a result of their exposure to railroad work hazards may qualify to file a legal claim under the Federal Employers Liability Act, or FELA. Workers can file a FELA lawsuit to receive legal compensation for their injuries from the government.

FELA is a federal law that was enacted more than 100 years ago in 1908 to help workers who were injured on the job. However, protection and compensation under FELA can also be accessed by individuals who sustain an illness related to railroad work, such as cancers that were due to a variety of exposures to carcinogens.

If you were diagnosed with cancer between 2013 to 2016 that was believed to be a result of exposure to railroad work hazards, you may be able to seek damages for your illness. Eligible individuals must have worked in the railroad industry for a total of at least five years before their diagnosis in order to qualify for a FELA lawsuit.